Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the arrest of two teenage girls for the torture of a gopher tortoise.
Their exploits were posted on a Facebook and went viral on social media.
Danielle Susan Dionne, 15, and Jennifer Emoke Greene, 18, have been arrested on charges of felony cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, and taking, harassing, harming or killing a gopher tortoise, a second-degree misdemeanor, according to FWC.
Dionne's case is being handled in adult court. She faces up to 5 years in prison, if convicted.
Greene will be in juvenile justice.
"We take these issues very seriously," said Col. Calvin Adams, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. "We appreciated the help from the public and our partners in working to protect our valuable natural resources."
"We are committed to fully prosecuting those responsible for the torture and death of this vulnerable and threatened species,” said State Attorney Angela Corey.
